Paper details

Paper authors	pot vorko
In panel on	Coping strategies of affected people in a resource-constrained environment
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

This study explores the diverse coping strategies employed by individuals and communities in resource-limited settings to navigate daily challenges and persistent hardship. Drawing on mixed-methods research conducted across multiple low-income contexts, the study identifies a wide range of adaptive behaviors, including informal social support networks, subsistence-based livelihoods, migration, spiritual and cultural practices, and creative resource reallocation. The research highlights how individuals—often in the absence of formal safety nets—mobilize social capital, collective action, and indigenous knowledge systems to maintain basic well-being. Despite the ingenuity and high level of resilience observed, findings also reveal the limits and trade-offs of these well established coping mechanisms, which can sometimes perpetuate cycles of poverty, inequality, violence and vulnerability. Gender, age, and social status significantly influence access to and the effectiveness of coping strategies, underscoring the need for context-specific support and inclusive policy responses. The study concludes that while local coping strategies demonstrate remarkable resilience, they should not substitute for systemic investments in social protection, inclusive services, and rights-based development. Instead, they should inform efforts to design more grounded, equitable interventions that align with local realities. This research contributes to broader discussions on resilience, equity, and human development in fragile and under-resourced environments.

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